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A Happy Wife…A Happy Life

What makes you happy? Is it your job, your kids, or your hobbies? My husband seems to think that it is his job to keep me happy. I never looked at it this way, but he does keep me very happy. No, he does not buy me expensive jewelry, take me on adventure trips, or shower me with constant adoration.

I find that the little things are what keep me coming back for more.

What could these little things be?

He makes my coffee in the morning and adds just the right amount of cream. He listens to me rattle on about every book that I read. He encourages me to paint, draw, and create even though I think that I am not very good. He holds my hand while we watch T.V. and that makes every night feel like the first date. He dances to Michael Jackson songs with me. If he is going to the store, he always calls and asks if I want or need something.

These are all nice things, but the most heart-warming to me is his cooking. When he cooks he says he puts all of his love for me in the food. You may not believe it, but I can taste it.

His food is always full of vegetables such as: eggplant, carrots, mushrooms, and peppers. (Be glad he is dressed in this picture. He is known to cook naked.)

 

Last night, he made a wonderful meal with pork. It was covered in a rosemary and cranberry sauce. It is amazing that he makes such great creations from our little kitchen.

Tonight, as I write this, he is making fresh basil pesto. I love his basil pesto. It is a masterpiece. However, I think he made too much this time because the motor of the blender is smoking .

Nothing stops a man and his basil.

We may have to buy a new blender and eat pest for a month, but I am happy. Our life together is happy too.

 

 

The Weather was Unpredictable

Depending on the weather…

That is what Ilias said last night. If the weather looked sunny and fair, we would go downtown, take a walk, have a coffee, and eat fish at a fish taverna. This morning was hot to say the least. Sunny was an understatement. It was blazing. So we set forth to downtown Chania and it proved that mother nature never intends for things to stay the same.

 

The day started out hot and we were sweating standing still. That fact did not stop us from walking to the taxi station where we met our friend Panos who was on his way to the University. We had a nice conversation that consisted of jokes about Ilias’s deodorant that smelled like car air freshener and the daily happenings in each others lives. It was nice, but we had to leave our friend and head downtown.

 

We had the taxi drop us several blocks from the fish tavern. We walked through the tourist shop area that sold leathers, t-shirts, and jewelry. It seems that tourists season has not quite ended because there were Norwegians, Finnish, and Germans everywhere.

 

After walking a few blocks to the old harbor, we arrived at one of the coffee shops that many Greeks frequent. The coffee shop is near an old Turkish bath and one of my favorite pottery shops. I hope to purchase something from this shop one day, if only I could make up my mind what I liked the best.

 

 

After the coffee and a long chat, which was excellent, we went to the fish tavern. However, the sun did not come with us. Clouds gathered and the raindrops had a party on our heads. Luckily, Apostolis Fish Taverna has awnings that cover the outdoor seating. We enjoyed our wonderful meal with the pitter-patter sound above us. The best part was when two men in a boat arrived. As we ate, we watched as they emptied their catch into a bucket. Did they take it home? Well one man did, but the other bought his fish to the taverna. I heard that people can sell their fish the the fish tavernas, but I never witnessed it first hand. I am glad for this experience. Heck, I am glad for all of the experiences here.

Anyway…

Back to the story!

After too much wine, raki, and far too much fish, we decided to take a short walk around old town before we went home. I love the old harbor. Some of the boats look like they are out of an old movie. I guess all of Old Town has that feeling. Did I mention that as fast as the storm came the storm went? (It would rear it’s fiery again when we would arrive home.)

We passed Ilias’s (okay, mine too.) favorite place for food after a late night of drinking. Hot dogs! Greek style! (ΧΟΤ ΝΤΟΓΚ is Greek for Hot Dog.)

We had a good conversation about the buildings that are left for ruin in Old Town. It would be so nice if somebody could care for them. Most are hundreds and hundreds of years old. Well, I guess they give the pigeons a good home.

      

We searched for a restaurant that we both are dying to try out. It is a Turkish Restaurant called “The Well of the Turk”. the spice shop that we buy our spices from recommended the restaurant for those who like spicy food. After wandering down many narrow corridors, we came across the restaurant. We plan to go soon and experience spicy Turkish food. Maybe you will join us? Think about it…

We are going to go home and relax for the evening. I hope you find happiness and relaxation on your sunny, but suddenly stormy Sunday.

Meet Jackson

Jackson is our dog. Actually, he is more than just a dog. He makes us laugh, provides companionship, and reminds us what being good and loyal is all about. Despite all of his good qualities, he still gets dirty and needs a bath.

Yesterday was bath day for Jackson. Before his bath, I decided to take him to the harbor/port near our home to run on the beach and to get more dirty. Perhaps, you would like to come along with Jackson and I. It is a short walk and has nice scenery.

 

At the end of this road, is the port. Jackson will lead the way.

 

I have to remind Jackson that we are going to the port and not to scary old run down buildings. (I think he is in the Halloween spirit,  but unfortunately Greeks do not celebrate Halloween.)

 

 

First we pass the Fish Taverna that is near the port. During the summer, tables are set up under the trees and the smell of fish drives Jackson crazy.

 

 

We always stop to look at the view of our neighborhood and Chania town in the distance. I should rephrase that, I look at the view and Jackson sniffs around oblivious to the stunning view.

 

The port is full of smells for Jackson, but the fun has not started yet. The port is not very busy today, so Jackson does not have anybody to bother.

 

 

A duck and a couple of geese live in the harbor all year. Jackson tries to catch them, but they are much faster than him. Especially, when it comes to swimming they have him beat. I think they laugh from a safe distance.

 

 

After the excitement of chasing birds, Jackson has fun at the small beach running, swimming, and playing with anything he can find.

 

All of this is tiring, so we go take a break by the church.

  

 

Yep, I think Jackson is ready to go home and take a bath. I hope you enjoyed the walk. I did and I know Jackson did too.

Darkness is Creeping up on Us

I appreciate all of the fine leather goods that the country of Greece produces. I really do. I feel lucky that they come at a good bargain too. However, there is a problem that I have with the leather makers. I often wonder what can be done about this or if anything should be done about it. Take a look for yourself and you will see the issue that is at hand.

I live near a leather factory. They do not make much noise, the people working there are kind, and I am glad that somebody out there does this trade. Take a look at this picture. It does not seem too bad, does it?

 

Sometimes, maybe once or twice a week, something occurs that itches my mind. I just don’t like it. Of course, I do not have enough information about the situation and I never was a whistle blower. It still bothers me.

A black-brownish dye or by product of some sort is released into the sea by the leather factory. It trickles out and is like a cancer invading the marine blue and emerald green of this beautiful environment. I would hate to be in the water when this is being released. It has a foul smell and cannot be good. But I am assuming things and do not know of what the substance is actually made. I can only guess.

 

(I put an yellow arrow pointing out the substance and a orange circle around a man searching for mussels who is unaware of the sludge creeping up on him.)

What is this stuff made of? What are the effects? I know there is a neighborhood beach right around the corner from here. I wonder if they are aware of this and if they would let their children swim in the sea if they knew what I know.

The blackness invades and soon most of the blue is gone. Do the fish and other marine life leave too?

 

Humans are not perfect. This a hard fact, but should innocents suffer from our imperfections? Who are the innocents? Sea life, our children, or maybe it is our future. The future is innocent of what we do today or what we plan to do tomorrow.

As the darkness covers the bay and most likely reaches further into the Aegean, I still sit here and wonder what will come of this. What would you do?

 

 

The Little Garden that Grew

One thing that amazes me is that our garden, even though it is on our balcony, is STILL producing peppers and tomatoes. The weather in Crete is ideal for having a garden all year. A dream come true for me.

 

I brought seeds with me from the United States to, hopefully, grow some of my favorite vegetables in Crete. There were successes and failures. Ilias and I worked very hard to make each plant grow but, some seemed not to enjoy the sun, sea air, and the dry climate. On the other hand, some of the seeds took off and grew bigger than I have ever seen in the States. Oops! I hope it does not start an invasion….

 

Here are some of our successes.

 

Marigolds, oh Marigolds!

These are two plants. One packets of seeds filled many pots, made flowers for months, and they grew to monster sizes. I collected and saved a HALF GALLON of marigold seeds for next year. They seems to love the Cretan sun.

(Taken October 2nd)

 

The Cherry tomatoes were beyond my expectations. They grew over 7ft tall and produced not once, but twice! It is October now and I believe we will have tomatoes well into November.  I am very happy with my American seeds because the plant seemed to resist a serious bug problem that destroyed most other tomato plants in Crete.

This is a potted tomato that hangs off our balcony. (Taken October 2nd)

 

Brandywine tomatoes and Basil ready to give us it’s seeds.

 

Most surprising were the peppers. Some of the plants grew nearly five feet tall. We have Serrano, cayenne, cubanelle, red, chili… The list goes on and on. The peppers seem to love the climate. The Cretans do not eat spicy food, so we have the peppers all to ourselves. Hee Hee!

 

 

We originally bought the mint to make mojitos, but it is more of a decorative plant now. We make new plants from the runners by placing them in a pot of dirt and then setting a rock on top of it. It is always nice to give a little mint plant as a gift to those who visit us.

 

The garden keeps me entertained and Ilias finds amazing ways to prepare all of our produce. I hope you enjoyed it.

Koulouri

What is this?

 

It is a Koulouri! It is a street food that is sold in Greece. For the past few months, I passed the ladies who yell, “Koulouri! Koulouri!” and never yielded to the temptation of buying one of these sesame covered snacks. Yesterday was different, but out of the ordinary. I was asked by my husband if I wanted to try one. I said, “Yes!” (I never turn down food.) Then he asked whether I wanted a crunchy or soft one. 0.60 cents later, I had a soft Koulouri in my hands. It was quite filling and very good. Now I feel Greek!

 

Thankfully, I carry my camera everywhere. I was able to take a picture of the fine lady who sold me my first Koulouri. She is here everyday selling her Koulouris. That’s dedication!